Supreme Court Denies Bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in Delhi Riots Case

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, stating that there is sufficient evidence against them in the conspiracy related to the 2020 Delhi riots. While the court granted bail to several other activists, it emphasized the seriousness of the allegations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The case stems from the violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens, which resulted in numerous casualties. This decision follows a previous denial of bail by the Delhi High Court, and the legal battle continues as the accused challenge the ruling.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 5, 2026, 11:42 IST

Supreme Court's Decision on Delhi Riots Conspiracy

New Delhi: On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the conspiracy surrounding the 2020 Delhi riots, citing a prima facie case against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The bench, comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria, did, however, approve bail for other activists including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad.

The court stated, "This court is satisfied that the prosecution material disclosed a prima facie allegation against the appellants Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The statutory threshold stands attracted qua these appellants. This stage of proceedings does not justify their enlargement on bail."

On December 10, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgment on separate pleas from the accused after listening to arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, who represented the Delhi police, along with senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Siddhartha Dave, Salman Khurshid, and Sidharth Luthra, who defended the accused.

Umar, Sharjeel, and the others are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terrorism law, as well as sections of the previous IPC, for allegedly orchestrating the 2020 riots that resulted in 53 fatalities and over 700 injuries in northeast Delhi.

The unrest was triggered by widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The accused appealed to the Supreme Court to contest a Delhi High Court ruling from September 2, which had denied them bail in the broader conspiracy case related to the February 2020 riots.